I have a solid 3.5 GPA that I plan to raise considerably over the next two years. I'm wondering if the fact that I go to Idaho State is going to keep me from getting into one of the better schools. I'm willing to admit that my school sucks, but I'm not sure how much that is going to hurt my admission to law school.

1. Please stop referring to your GPA as "solid." That's the second time tonight. Compared to most people on TLS, your GPA is sub-par.2. Your school will not keep you out of any schools. Your GPA, however, might.

I was describing the number as being a firm 3.5 that can very easily turn to a 3.6, rather than just barely a 3.5. I wasn't describing it in reference to the GPA scale. Perhaps I'm an idiot for that, but its irrelevant. As for a school, I'm really just looking to get into the T25. Sorry if I annoy anyone, I'm just a lowly sophomore trying to get a bit of a head start on all of this.

You don't necessarily have to enjoy the social scene there:D What I found enjoyable throughout my undergraduate education period was the intellectual as well as cultural (I'm an international) exploration that enabled me to be the somewhat well-rounded person that I am today:D

romothesavior wrote:1. Please stop referring to your GPA as "solid." That's the second time tonight. Compared to most people on TLS, your GPA is sub-par.

Elitist bastard.

+1

a 3.5 is a B+/A-, which is certainly solid.

Ah yes. I am such an elitist bastard. Also, make sure when you +1 someone, you 1) agree with them and 2) they aren't being facetious.

I'm not saying a 3.5 is a bad GPA, but it is nothing to pat yourself on the back for unless it is in engineering, hard sciences, etc. OP should simply realize that a 3.5 is below median at just about every tier 1 school, so for the purposes of law school admissions, a 3.5 is not solid. But it sounds like OP is already planning to get that GPA up, so I guess it is a moot point.

OP, get your GPA into the 3.7+ range, focus on your LSAT, and apply to schools that interest you. Going to Idaho State won't bar you from getting in anywhere.

Well, I do get involved with my community. Part of the reason my GPA is 3.5 is that I spend a considerable amount of time during the school year assistant coaching a local high school debate team. Thus, after all my school and debate work is done, there is very little time left. And I have to work summers to be able to afford school. I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm not really wired for fun anymore.

Idaho_guy wrote:Well, I do get involved with my community. Part of the reason my GPA is 3.5 is that I spend a considerable amount of time during the school year assistant coaching a local high school debate team. Thus, after all my school and debate work is done, there is very little time left. And I have to work summers to be able to afford school. I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm not really wired for fun anymore.

I don't think many law schools actually care about extracurriculars or soft factors outside of URM. Drop the debate team and use the extra time to bring up your GPA.

Idaho_guy wrote:Well, I do get involved with my community. Part of the reason my GPA is 3.5 is that I spend a considerable amount of time during the school year assistant coaching a local high school debate team. Thus, after all my school and debate work is done, there is very little time left. And I have to work summers to be able to afford school. I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm not really wired for fun anymore.

I don't think many law schools actually care about extracurriculars or soft factors outside of URM. Drop the debate team and use the extra time to bring up your GPA.

As far as URMs go, I am actually 1/4 Hispanic. And if the choice is between getting into a better law school and continuing to give back to my community in a way that I love, I think I'm going to go with giving back. Hopefully, I will find school that will give me credit for that in the admissions process.

At least fourth generation. My lineage is Mexican-American, and I know my grandparents were natural born citizens. As far as great-grandparents, I'm not sure, but I doubt it would make much difference.

The facetious lol-worthy part is T19 being "safe" in any way whatsoever.

I really hope you are just doing a good job of pretending you don't get my joke.

OP, for the purposes of law school admissions, check the URM box. But seriously, it is way too early for you to be thinking about this. Just get your GPA up. And don't use this part-time debate team coaching thing as an excuse. That should in no way keep you from succeeding in school. Get your GPA up a few points and come back to TLS when it is time to take the LSAT.